Fall Winter 2008 - Formula Boats

In January of 2009, we started our
new boating adventure of traveling
back and forth between Florida
and Wisconsin. The first part of our
trip was trailering the Formula 34
PC to Fort Myers, Florida. Once we
put it in, we loved the performance
of our new boat. Our Volvo Diesel D4
engines and electric shifting are
fabulous.
We took a trip to Key West, Marathon
and back to Marco Island; it was more than we expected from our
new Formula. We had a great time and lived comfortably aboard our
new Formula for two weeks. The bed was very great. We are looking
forward to future trips and new adventures.
On the way to the Keys at 35-36 miles per hour, we burned 5.1 gallons
per hour per engine—excellent! The power, quietness and smoothness of
the diesels over the 496s is just unbelievable. No comparison to gas—we
had no diesel smell, and the quality of our entire boat was first class.
This spring we will be hauling the Formula and trailering it back to
Wisconsin to experience the Great Lakes—new travels and friends.
We would recommend Tim Hogan of Shipyard Marine at Green Bay
and Formula for our new Formula boat!
Larry and Carol Ehlinger
Spent the holiday weekend
at our place on Lake of
the Ozarks. On Sunday afternoon,
a local guy had a cove
party at his house and hired a
band. We had about 10 boats
tied up at one point with us and
only two were Formulas—my
280 SS and my good friend’s 40 PC. We probably had 30-35 people
hanging out.
While standing on the front of the 40 PC talking, we noticed and
commented that all the other boats (non-Formulas) were empty
and you couldn't move in our boats! Between our platforms, cockpits
and bows, there was somebody filling every space. We were
tied up with a new Four Winns, a Regal and many other boat
brands, and the Formulas were the life of the party. I know you
all know this about each of your boats, but it was another one of
these “proud” days to own a Formula!
Have an unbelievable day!
Brad Hefferon (Bottom Line)
My husband Barry and I have been
proud owners of Formulas for 29
years, having bought our first
Formula in 1980. We have had four
boats over the 29 years, all of which
have been Formulas—the 233 LS, 242
LS, 311 SR-1 and our latest, the 370
SS…the best boat yet, although we
have loved every Formula we’ve owned!
Our family grew up boating, and we feel
that added greatly to our family ties. We have enjoyed several
Formula Rendezvous and have had the pleasure of touring the
Formula factory in Decatur, Indiana. We feel like we are part of
the Porter/Formula family.
We had the pleasure of seeing and speaking with Scott Porter at
the Miami Boat Show. Please give him our regards.
Sincerely,
Barry and Shirley Webber
((VViissiitt SShhiirrlleeyy’’ss PPaassttaa SSaallaadd RReecciippee tthhaatt sshhee
ddiisshheess oouutt ttoo aallll hheerr bbooaattiinngg ffrriieennddss oonn ppaaggee 88)).
4
Recently, I had the pleasure of boating on the Salamonie reservoir
on my aunt and uncle’s (Chuck and Nancy Hamilton) Formula
242 LS. The ride, the decor, the finish and just hitting the waves
on the Formula was a thrill.
It might be a vintage Formula,
but the way it handles the
waves was perfect —it made
the weekend just that much
more fun! I wish everyone
had the opportunity to ride
a Formula!
Thank you
Chuck and Nancy!
Tonya Hamilton
Formula’s Director of Communications
Ilive on Long Island, New York,
and own a 1978 Formula 18. I
found it for sale 10 years ago
in Freeport, New York, and had
to have her. I have been enjoying
her ever since!
She is the prettiest little Formula
I've ever seen. I get compliments
all the time. I repowered her a
few years ago with a new 150
HP Evinrude Outboard when her old 150 Johnson got tired, and
over the past few years have added a CD/stereo with speakers
and new Bimini Top with side curtains. This year she received
new teak trim, new mirrored Formula letters and Thunderbird
insignia for the hull, and a four-blade SS prop. I also replaced the
old plastic thru hull fittings and fuel fill with new powder coated
aluminum ones from Eddie Marine.
What a sweet riding little boat—I wouldn't trade her for any new
boat in this size range. I am proud to be the owner of such a
pretty vintage Formula.
Thanks,
Bob Koprowski
I'm glad that you like
our boat. We have made
several changes to the
interior so we can spend
more time living on our
Formula.
Our "family Formula" is
already on your website,
and I can say that we still
use it as often as we can and on our vacation/holiday. Every year,
we live at least two weeks on the boat, driving around in the
beautiful archipelago of Stockholm.
The boat is a 1986 242 LS. Recently, in 2008, we changed both
engine and sterndrive to a newer Volvo Penta 7.4Gi with VP DP
D1 Duo prop—works great.
With kindest regards,
Mårten
Iwent down with three friends on a voyage and brought our two
captains (which we have the luxury to have full time because of
wages here), and then the kids and Sharon flew in from Bali. We
then popped around for six days staying
at the Eco Lodge at night on the Flores
Island of Labuan Baju (no dragons
there).
We were so tired we couldn't eat dinner
half the time and crashed at 7:00 p.m.
and then ready to go again by 7 a.m.
the next morning after a big breakfast.
Tony Dawson